By M. PEROTTO
Los Alamos

Dear People of Customer Care, Los Alamos County

I have been a resident of the Western Area for 24 years. Within the last 6 years, some of my neighbors have become careless about controlling their unattended canine pets, which results in general, habitual, regular nuisance in violation of Article 6, Los Alamos County Code; Sec. 6-6. – Unreasonable animal noise prohibited. (a) No person shall own or keep any animal, licensed or not, which by barking or making of other noises, continuously for more than ten minutes, either day or night, causes annoyance to the neighborhood or to passersby…

The problem is concentrated:

1. Near the intersection of Sandia and 40th Street, close to my home, where the dog owners let their dogs out as early as 6:30 a.m., and the animal runs freely in the private yard, barking at passers-by along the fence line. These passers-by are engaging in arrival at the high school on foot or by bus, making purchases at the fruit stand at the abandoned Metzger’s Mobil Station, driving and parking their cars at the UNM-LA college Campus, and arriving to purchase breakfast or lunch at the Cafe located on the old Pharmacy property.
2. In an area of Orange Street and the high school lots, though less bothersome to me personally, becomes an issue in winter, when leaves fall from trees and sounds are not insulated at night, early morning, or during lesser traffic periods. These passers-by are engaging in arrival at the high school on foot or by bus or gathering during free periods at the high school.
3. Some dogs are also engaging in random, nervous, nuisance barking in the homes behind me on 41st Street, where our backyards are contiguous. Often this group of dogs is barking at responsible dog owners who are walking their leashed animals on the contiguous sidewalks, or at joggers and walkers. Some bark at the helicopter for Life Flight at the nearby Los Alamos Medical Center.
4. At locations of Room and Board or “Bed and Breakfast” properties, whose transient residents are dog-owners and whose Landlords have not set limits on the number of animals on the rental property, are of personal concern to me. One neighbor in particular has allowed as many as six canines owned by tenants onto his property at one period of time. In the past, two of these animals have spent time barking in close proximity to the bedrooms of my house. One of those animals menaces me at my side fence when I am raking leaves. I know this animal and have been unable to calm it.

Though the County asks individuals who are concerned about this nuisance issue to “Speak” to our neighbors,

1. I cannot determine which barking animal resides at which residence at which time.
2. Our tax dollars afford us an Animal Control Officer, and I believe that it is the responsibility of that individual to police the neighborhoods.
3. My “Speaking” personally to the offending neighbor puts me at risk of alienating others who reside next door, and with whom I have an otherwise good relationship.

The houses in the Western Area, which have low flat roofs, little insulation, ventilation stacks and skylights five feet above our heads, make it impossible to escape the stress of Nuisance Barking because of air infiltration. As I type, (10:15 a.m.) I hear through my skylight, one dog barking somewhere off of 41st Street. What is it barking at??

Because I am certain that many others who are currently non-owners of dogs (my German Shepherds are long since deceased) are also annoyed by this cacophony of noise, I am asking for increased public education and enforcement of Article 6.6 by:

1. Enclosing notification of this Ordinance in the regular County Utility Bill at least twice each year.
2. The Patrolling of the places above, during the hours listed above, and enforcement specifically of Section 6.6 by either the Animal Control Officer, an authorized deputy, or the police squad.
3. Doorknob hanging, flier campaign at individual residences whose properties can be determined to house canine animals by either foot patrol or by tracing dog license information.

Please refer this communication to the appropriate Los Alamos County Department or Division, so that the Western Area can return to a more convivial and peaceful condition.

Thank You.